Impact of the electrolyte and electrochemical parameters upon the morphology of anodized zinc oxide

Abstract

The influence of the nature of used electrolyte as well as the applied potential in the anodization process of polar ZnO crystals were studied. Micro- and nanostructures obtained by electrochemical etching of O-face ZnO crystals were investigated by scanning electron microscopy. The morphology selectivity depending on the nature of the electrolyte was demonstrated. For the firs time, a columnar ZnO nanostructures obtained be electrochemical etching was reported. The transversal dimensions and their density depend on applied anodization potential. The obtained results will give the possibility for development of semiconductor nanotemplates based on anodized ZnO crystals